Date:22/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/22/stories/2005092216590200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Craftsmen from North Eastern States show off their wares

Staff Reporter

Exhibition of hand-made products on display at Valluvar Kottam till October 5

HAND MADE: Exquisite dolls on show. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Craftsmen from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura have come to the city to participate in the North East Crafts Fair.

A. Elangovan, State Secretary, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department, inaugurated the fair at Valluvar Kottam on Wednesday.

The fair, sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has been organised by the Chennai branch of the North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited's Purbashree Emporium.

Over 45 craft persons and weavers have come from seven North Eastern States to participate in the fair. They have put up stalls displaying various products including, cane furniture and other accessories, jute handbags, slippers, tableware, bed sheets, dress material and sarees. The proceeds of the fair are to go to these craftsmen entirely.

The objective of this fair is to promote sales of handicrafts and provide exposure to the craftsmen, said D.C. Borkotoky, Deputy General Manager, Marketing, Purbashree Emporium. Craftsmen encountered problems such as inadequate availability of cane due to destruction of cane bearing forest tracks and high transportation costs, he added.

Tension in the North Eastern belt seems to have affected this industry considerably. "Mobility is our biggest concern. It becomes very difficult to transport our products when there are road blocks and bandhs every other day," said Akhom Memi Chanu. Memi, who is from Manipur, also said such exhibitions were great means of support.

Though we have got used to the situation there, the heavy rains and tension in the region are quite a menace to business operations, said Bakharaw from Meghalaya.

Regarding the response expected, Handicrafts Promotional Officer N Ramamurthy said Chennai comes next to Bangalore when it comes to encouraging such exhibitions.

The exhibition is on at Valluvar Kottam till October 5 from 10 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.